Last November, event organizers said they were searching for a new location for the car show, and also sought to find a new name for it, to avoid a perception of “young hot-rodders being silly” at the gathering.

“It’s about bringing families together, raising money and getting kids these scholarships,” said Sue Simning, Bradley’s mother who founded and coordinates the event.

The show, which includes live music and close to 200 vehicles on display, raises money for a scholarship in McPherson’s name.

The money is reserved for high school students who struggle with attention-deficit disorder, like McPherson did, and also for budding mechanics.

At age 28, McPherson was shot to death in the early hours of Christmas Eve in 2011 — at a house party in Newton, he confronted a male guest who was harassing a female party-goer. Last April, Russell Bidesi was given a life sentence for the crime, and isn’t eligible for parole for 15 years.

This year’s show will feature the kind of cars and trucks loved and appreciated by McPherson, who was fond of doing burnouts in a charcoal-coloured truck he called “Emma.”

“We’re excited to have it at the drive-in because it’s probably some place Brad would have cruised through in his truck,” his mother added.

“Fire up your engines boys and girls and get ready for a fantastic show this year.”